The NBA trade deadline isn’t until Feb. 5, but teams around the league are already starting to explore the market for potential deals. With some big names popping up in NBA trade rumors, it’s not out of the question that we could see a deal or two go down in December.
Amid the latest NBA rumors on the trade front, we’re proposing four NBA trades we’d like to see.
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Sacramento Kings Trade DeMar DeRozan to LA Clippers
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The Sacramento Kings still haven’t paid the long-term cost of the three-team DeMar DeRozan trade from the summer of 2024, as the San Antonio Spurs still own unprotected swap rights with Sacramento in 2021. However, the time is now for Kings general manager Scott Perry to start this multi-year rebuild and a DeRozan trade this season feels inevitable.
Sacramento Kings trade: DeMar DeRozan
Los Angeles Clippers trade: Brook Lopez, Bogdan Bodanovic, 2026 2nd (LAC)
With the Clippers owing their first-round picks in the next two years (swap rights in 2027) to the Oklahoma City Thunder, there’s strong incentive for the organization to try and maintain competitiveness. In a return home to Los Angeles, DeRozan provides James Harden and Kawhi Leonard with help, giving the Clippers a shot creator. To that point, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Clippers have interest in DeRozan.
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As for Sacramento, it moves off DeRozan’s contract with Bogdanovic and Lopez both on expiring deals thanks to club options for the 2026-27 season. The added sweetener is the early second-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, receiving the Clippers’ second-round pick.
Related: DeMar DeRozan Trade Landing Spots
Golden State Warriors Swing a Michael Porter Jr Trade
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The Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets could both have limited options at the NBA trade deadline. Golden State doesn’t have a ton of assets to move but it wants to get off the Jonathan Kuminga contract and land an upgrade in the process. Meanwhile, Brooklyn acquired Michael Porter Jr. to flip him but his contract leaves limited options.
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Brooklyn Nets trade: Michael Porter Jr.
Golden State Warriors trade: Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, 2029 GSW 1st (Top-3 protection)
Packaging Kuminga, Moses Moody and Buddy Hield together creates the contract package big enough for Golden State to fit Porter Jr.’s deal into their books. More importantly, the Warriors add a reliable scorer and rebounder at 6-foot-10 who would provide a big upgrade to the lineup.
For Brooklyn, this move provides a rebuilding team with an opportunity to see if they can get anything more out of Moody or Kuminga than Golden State did. More importantly, this deal would give the Nets a trio of first-round picks in the 2029 NBA Draft.
Read More: Latest NBA Power Rankings
Indiana Pacers Add a Center with Daniel Gafford Trade
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The Indiana Pacers are in the trade market for a center, per ESPN‘s Shams Charania, hunting for a viable replacement after Myles Turner’s departure. Given the recent NBA trade rumors linking Daniel Gafford to Indiana, it’s reasonable to think the two clubs could make something work.
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Indiana Pacers trade: Obi Toppin, 2028 IND 1st (Top-5 protected)
Dallas Mavericks trade: Daniel Gafford
With Obi Toppin out indefinitely following foot surgery, the need for a big man becomes even more pressing for Indiana. Gafford would be a viable pick-and-roll threat for the Pacers and might pair beautifully with a healthy Tyrese Haliburton down the line. In this deal, Indiana would protect itself a bit in Haliburton’s first full season back from the Achilles injury (2026-27). Meanwhile, Dallas adds a first-round pick and Toppin could be valuable in the final two seasons of his contract.
Pelicans Trade Trey Murphy to the Detroit Pistons
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Anthony Davis is the big name that is most often connected to the Detroit Pistons, but the season-ending injury for Dereck Lively II and the possibility of a Daniel Gafford trade complicate things. Instead, we’re pointing to a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans for Trey Murphy III.
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New Orleans Pelicans trade: Trey Murphy III
Detroit Pistons trade: Jaden Ivey, Ron Holland, 2026 1st (DET), 2028 1st (DET), 2032 1st (DET)
The end goal here for Detroit is to assemble a defensive duo with Ausar Thompson, a pairing made to perfectly complement Cade Cunningham. Murphy fits that to a T, and the 25-year-old wing has made real strides offensively this season, shooting a career-best 48.6% from the field while averaging career-highs in scoring (21.2 PPG), rebounding (6.4 RPG) and steals (1.8 SPG). Plus, he’s under contract through the 2028-29 season. This is the caliber of player you acquire to reach the NBA Finals.
Trading three future first-round picks along with Jaden Ivey and Ron Holland certainly seems pricey. However, Murphy’s age, contract and on-the-floor contributions make him the perfect fit for Detroit. As for the Pelicans, this kick starts their rebuild and provides both Holland and Ivey with a greater chance to contribute and have a shot at tapping into some of their upside.
Related: Detroit Pistons Trade Targets
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